Danville Express

Ethnic epithet elicits explosive exchange

A 44-year-old Danville man is facing charges, following a fight. Danville Police Sgt. Kevin Daley said officers were called to Vinoteca on Prospect Ave. around 11 p.m. on July 10 on a report of a fight. The victim, a 56-year-old Walnut Creek man, reported to police that he had been attacked in the bar and head-butted.

Officers made contact with the suspect, identified as Gerard Powers. Powers, who officers said was demonstrably intoxicated, said the incident began when the victim came up to him at the bar and called him a "big-nosed Irish bastard." Powers stated that he went up to the victim in an attempt to resolve the issue but the situation ended with violence.

Witnesses were unable to say exactly what happened, other than that Powers reportedly head-butted the victim twice and then grabbed him in a headlock. Both men were ejected from the bar.

An EMT team from the San Ramon Fire Protection District was dispatched to the scene, but neither man required treatment. Daley said Powers was arrested and taken into custody. A breathalyzer test administered by police showed Powers blood alcohol level to be .31, nearly four times the legal limit.

Powers was charged with public intoxication and battery. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Center.

--Geoff Gillette

This story contains 212 words.

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